If the stolen animal is found alive in their possession(A)—whether ox or donkey or sheep—they must pay back double.(B)

“If anyone grazes their livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in someone else’s field, the offender must make restitution(C) from the best of their own field or vineyard.

“If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns shocks(D) of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.(E)

“If anyone gives a neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping(F) and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.(G) But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges,(H) and they must[a] determine whether the owner of the house has laid hands on the other person’s property. In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, ‘This is mine,’ both parties are to bring their cases before the judges.[b](I) The one whom the judges declare[c] guilty must pay back double to the other.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 22:8 Or before God, and he will
  2. Exodus 22:9 Or before God
  3. Exodus 22:9 Or whom God declares

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